More on Downton Abbey

New data suggests Downton Abbey boost to tourism

A new report suggests television shows such as runaway hit Downton Abbey have increased tourism to the areas of Britain where they have filmed.

The Trainline announced today that there has been a 226% increase in ticket sales to Newbury. Newbury is the home of Highclere Castle, which doubles for Downton Abbey in the period drama. This figure is the average year-on-year increase in ticket sales from 2009 to 2015, with the show premiering in 2010.

On average, ticket sales increased 19% per year. In 2015, the show’s final series, ticket sales increased by a whopping 30%.

Downton Abbey is not the only show to have caused such excitement amongst travellers, with Trainline data confirming an increase of 17% in ticket sales to Cornwall after this year’s sexy Cornish romp that was Poldark.

Great Bedwyn, the inspiration between the BBC’s Wolf Hall, has seen a 34% increase in sales. Meanwhile Dorchester, the filming location for Broadchurch, has seen an increase of 47% since the show premiered in 2013.